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November/December, 2004 Index:
Life Insurance is Sold Every Day
To be successful in selling life insurance, you must service your present certificate holders, and must use your present members to gain new prospects for tomorrow. Certainly, cold calls can sell membership and fraternal insurance, but a referred lead is a sure bet. More often a salesperson will sell a certificate to a prospective member, and then is forgotten the minute they are sold. How much commission dollars did this salesperson lose because he/she didn’t call the member on the policy anniversary every year? You see, the salesperson who sold that member his first fraternal policy lost many additional members through neglect.
Facts prove that present members are your best customers. With a little effort, a salesperson could be making many extra dollars in commissions—one client can always lead you to your next prospect, and also create more business for yourself and the Polish Union. We must be mindful of increasing members for the Polish Union. This work is never done, for if we were to neglect it, we would lag behind other organizations. If we don’t continue to seek new members, then others will do so and take away the prospective members right before our nose.
Tell your prospective members that when they purchase commercial insurance, they are a “number” in a computer. Their needs are taken care of by a computer, in an impersonal manner. When they purchase life insurance from our fraternal organization, the Polish Union, they are a member of a local group. Their needs, financial, social and cultural are taken care of individually.
If you haven’t notice, the Polish Union, has a new certificate—-a 3 year plan. If you are interested in purchasing this plan, you can call your group secretary or the Polish Union office 823-1611 for more information. If every member, whose wife, or husband does not belong to the Polish Union, would strive to enroll them, and their children in our fraternal, then our numbers would increase by the thousands, and that is the way it should be.
Spring Polish Language Courses Offered
Polish language classes will resume at Polish Union headquarters in March. Polish I will be held on eight consective Mondays beginning March 7 and ending April 25. Major concentration will be on conversational Polish, reading, writing and some grammar. Beginners are welcome.
Polish II is scheduled for eight consective Thursdays beginning March 10 and ending April 28. This course is an extension of Polish I with concentration of everyday Polish conversation plus the reading, translating and grammatical analysis of the novel “na Polu Chwaly” (On the Field of Glory) by the famous novelist, Henryk Siekiewicz.
Classes are conducted from 7 to 9 p.m.
Registration for both classes will take place on Thursday, March 3 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Polish Union Headquarters, 53-59 N. Main St., Downtown Wilkes-Barre. Instructor is Norbert Dembinski.
A Night of Celestial Magic at 26th Annual Debutante Ball
The 26th annual Debutante Ball was full of Celestial Magic, colorful, elegant and a special memory for all who attended. Three young ladies, were presented at the Ball which was held at Gus Genetti’s ballroom in Wilkes- Barre. A large audience, consisting of Debutantes and their families, friends and members of the Polish Union, were in attendance.
The evening began with a delicious dinner, followed by the presentation of the debs by their fathers. The debs and their escorts performed the traditional Chopin’s polonaise. The debutantes then danced with their dads and their escorts danced with the mothers. The evening continued with everyone dancing to the Sights and Sounds of the “Poets”.
The Young Adults of Polish Union coordinated the affair along with Terri Rumensky, Activities Chair. Maria Simone Namowicz, Miss Polish Union 2004 was chair of the event, co-chair Emily Huber, Secretary Kristen Romanko, and Treasurer Joseph Pudlosky. Andrea Bogusko Yorkonis was the pianist; Choreography was by Helen Gauss; Decorations were made by McCarthy Florist, Dunmore and Program Design Cover was done by Joann Zanghi. The page boy was Ross Zanghi of Scranton and the page girl was Kyra Hendricks, Doylestown, PA. Aylse Srebro, Class of 1996 Debutantes introduced the 2004 Debutantes.
Meet the Debutantes
Kimberly Attardo, was presented by her father Anthony Attardo. She is the daughter of Anthony and Barbara Attardo, Pittston PA. Kimberly is a Junior at Seton Catholic High School. She has served as an officer for the Student Council, member of the Key Club, and active in varsity cheerleading, tennis, and cross country. She serves as a C.C.D. Assistant teacher and a Lector for St. Rocco’s Church in Pittston. Her hobbies include running, painting, and spending time with family and friends. Her ethnic heritage includes Polish, Lithuanian, and Italian. She is a member of the National Honor Society, S/A/D/D/, Varsity Mathletes, and the Mission Club. Kimberly was escorted by, Brian Kosik, Pittston , PA. She is presently serving as Miss Polish Union 2005.
Gabrielle Stine, was presented by her father Robert Stine. She is the daughter of Robert and Cheryl Stine, Archbald PA. Gabrielle is a Junior at Valley View High School. She is a member of the French Club and placed 2nd in the National French Contest at King’s College. She participates in cross country, track, and basketball. Her ethnic heritage is Polish, Italian, and German. Her hobbies include reading, running, cross stitch and spending time with her family and friends. She enjoys visiting and singing for residents at long term care residences. Gabrielle was escorted by Paul Prislupski, Olyphant, PA. Gabrielle also received the Andrew Tomcavage Student Athlete Award and the American Legion School Award.
Amy Zielinski, was presented by her father John Zielinski. She is the daughter of John and Debra Zielinski, Scranton PA. Amy is a Sophomore at West Scranton High School. She is a member of the French Club, Festival Choir, and Drama Club. She is also a member of the National Honor Society and is on the tennis Club. She has been in the Girl Scouts for eleven years, earned her silver award and is working toward her gold award. Amy is also of member of St Patrick’s Youth group. Her hobbies include Swimming, reading and spending time with family and friends. Her ethnic heritage includes Polish, Irish, and German. Amy was escorted by Paul William Rumensky, Dickson City, PA.
Our sympathy to the families of recently deceased members of Polish Union of U.S.A.
Group, Member, City:
Group Member City
270 Ignacy Lewandowski Chicago, IL
182 Cecylia Papieski Bridgevile, PA
275 Kenneth Przewoznik Chicago, IL
51 Jan Tarnowski Glen Lyon, PA
405 Jan Szymczak Hazleton, PA
395 William Dubiak Scranton, PA
131 Helena Schappert Nanticoke, PA
392 Helene Hendrzak Wilkes-Barre, PA
100 Marjanna Wozniak Pittston, PA
230 Regina Scios Villa Park, IL
401 Joseph Weakland Ft. Washington, MD
25 Stanislaw Fejger Perrineville, NJ
197 Ann Piemontese Scranton, PA
392 Elizabeth Stets Kingston, PA
321 Stanley Staniszewski Swoyersville, PA
258 Julia Zydorowicz Chicago, IL
73 Joseph Fabian Northumberland, PA
163 Antoni Wojczak Milford, CT
230 Jullianna Dec Chicago, IL
395 Chester L. Celmer Clarks Summit, PA
275 Helen A. Malinowski Chicago, IL
401 John Ciezobka Barnesboro, PA
74 Wladyslaw Kozup N. Brunswick, NJ
258 Helena Konkolewska Hinsdale, IL
155 Anna Lewinska South River, NJ
395/207
227 Alice I Tracewski Blakely, PA
385 Elzbieta Kolek Glen Ellyn, IL
163 Stanislaw Malecki Lake Winola, PA
406 Vincent Starzynski Plains, PA
May the Souls of the
faithful departed rest in peace.
A Mass for deceased members is celebrated monthly by Msgr. Bernard J.
Toloczko, Chaplain of the Polish Union of U.S.A.
On August 3, 2004, the Polish Union Youth Committee held a bowling event at Chacko’s Family Fun Center in Wilkes-Barre, to raise money for the St. Joseph’s Center in Scranton. The event was a huge success. Chairperson Emily A. Huber said, “I was so happy to see families come out to bowl. Everyone had a great time. The Youth Committee and myself hope to see an even bigger turn out next summer, when we hold the same event to raise money for St. Joe’s. A special thanks to all that supported the Polish Union Youth Committee and St. Joseph’s Center that night. We hope to see you again next year!”
Through the event the Youth Committee was able to donate $250 to St. Joseph’s Center. Presenting the check from the committee above are, from left: Emily A. Huber, Joseph Pudlosky, Brenton Reilly, Katryna Reilly and president of the Polish Union, Rose Wartko. Receiving the donation on behalf of St. Joseph’s Center are Alaina and D.J.
Dzien dobry!! Welcome to my kitchen...For the New Year we have herbal teas and holiday coffees.. The guests are bringing in their Christmas cookies and desserts for our eating pleasure. Hope you all enjoyed the New Year because you and the rest of us .. As we enjoyed your goodies we decided to reflect on the past 100 years. Here is what happened:
In 1900 the Commonwealth of Australia was created... The Cake Walk became the most popular dance of the year. In 1910 China abolished slavery. That year the tango became popular. In 1905 Einstein formulated the theory of relativity. In 1912 the Titanic sank... In 1913 only 8 western countries granted woman the right to vote. In 1918 one million women were working in factories and the influenza disease kills 54,800 people in the U.S. The average income was $1,697 per year and life expectancy was 54 years. In 1920 Babe Ruth sold by Boston Red Sox to New York Yankees. In 1931 the U.S. Senate passes Veterans Compensation Act over President Hoover’s veto.
In 1933 the first concentration camps were erected by Nazis in Germany.. In 1941 Japan attacks Pearl Harbor...U.S. declares war on Germany and Japan. In 1944 the minimum wage was 30 cents an hour. In 1958 the first U.S. moon rocket was launched. It failed to reach the moon, but traveled 79,000 miles. In 1963 President John F. Kennedy was slain. In 1973 Watergate trial began which led to President Nixon’s resignation. In 1978 Cardinal Wojtyla of Krakow, Poland was elected pope and takes the name of John Paul II. Most of us know the events of the 1990s so I won’t reiterate. Looking at the twenty first century, the most shocking event happened on September 11, 2001, when the United States as attacked by two aircraft hitting the Twin Towers in New York City as we watched it happen on the morning news and actually saw the mamouth towers tumble to the ground and thousands were killed almost simultaneously, a plane which was heading for the White House was overtaken by some brave Americans who over-took the terrorists and downed the plane, knowing they too would lose their lives for the safely of this country....and at the same time another plane hit the Pentagon in Washington, killing all aboard plus several in the Pentagon.... This century started with a bang, never to be forgotten The wars of today and very different than any war we knew and God Help Us, for this a very different world we live in, and the terrorists who threaten this country and the world are more brutal than anything we have known in the past.
NOTE: Do you think there is a connection between these kind of terrorists and the new laws trying to make was to keep GOD out of schools, and everywhere else. Our country thrived on IN GOD WE TRUST.. And we did just fine... So, I end with God Bless America...
NOTE: The first Polish pope wasn’t John Paul II, but Pope Pius the 10th. His father was Polish and his mother was Italian...He was a very holy man and called the Eucharistic Pope, because he encouraged daily communion. This Pope liked smoking cigarettes and use to get them from the guards... Because of this small vice, Pope Pius 12th refused to canonize him; however, anyone who knew him or his history highly respected him and his contributions to the Catholic church, so reports Dr. Timothy O’Donnell, a specialist on Papal history.
- SIX SECRETS of people who never get sick: 1) GET YOUR SLEEP. Our immune system is tacking germs and storing up its defense for the next day while we sleep. 2) LAUGH MORE. People who laugh or giggle a lot increase their supply of disease fighting proteins and hormones. 3) TAKE TIME FOR YOURSELF. When under stress, our body’s immune system is suppressed, which makes us more vulnerable to illness and infection. 4) LOVE BEING MARRIED. Those with happy marriages enjoy better overall health... 5) HAVE FRIENDSHIPS. People who have lunch dates or shopping sprees boosts their immune system by as long as 3 days. 6) EXERCISE AND EAT RIGHT boosts the immune system...People in good shape have fewer illnesses.
Dear PK:
I have been having a few reoccurring dreams in the past few months. One is that I am in water and swim like a fish... Realistically, I am not a swimmer, but like water. Then, I dream often of teeth. Wither my teeth are falling out or crumbing. Is there any was you could tell me anything about these dreams and what they could mean?
Lois B
Dear Lois:
Having checked your dreams with Dream psychologist Gillian Holloway, PhD, the possibility o’those dreams may be: The swimming often symbolized moving through challenges well..The swimming like a f st could indicate you’re taking on a new role and your confidence is positive. As for the teeth, the crumbling could indicate unnecessary guilt. If you keep giving up and giving in, how will you ever be fulfilled. If you open up and say yes, you will find something to smile doubt. Hope this is helpful, but only you know if any of this applies to you...
pk
- STRICTLY personal: Birthday greetings to Joe and Alexa Kolodziej, Stella Goreschak, Ceil Konopka, Heleln Jurgiewicz, Margaret Milewski, Jane Strelecki, Irene Aak Kaitlyn Klem, Barbara Tracowski and anniversary greetings to: Barbara and Chester Tracowski, Sto Lat!
- Congratulations to Katie Yamula of Drums, PA, a former Miss Polish Union, for her lead in the Blatt’s Dinner Theatre in Kutztown during the 2004 season. The theatre offers wonderful musicals and gret food for the season. A group of Polish Union members attended the Country Christmas Show and Katie was great!
- New Book: A colleague of mine wrote a book about our life in the airlines (when being a flight attendent was a glamorous career). The book is now available and is titled White Cloves to Washington by Pat Rothacker. Get it, it is great.
- Send your gripes, questions and anything you want me to publish to: PK, 17 Laurel Drive, Scranton, PA 18505.
- Helena Praszkowicz celebrated her 96th birthday on December 20th. She is a member of Group 257 and resides in Wilkes-Barre.
- Kyle A. Klem graduated from Thunder Ridge High School in Highlands Ranch, CO last May. Kyle played baseball, basketball, voleyballand soccer during High School. He volunteered teaching handicapped children to play volleyball and helped with their baseball teams. A member of the National Honor Society his Thunder Ridge Grizzlies baseball team won the State Championship. He is currently enrolled at the University of Kansas on the Baseball scholarship. He was a recipient of a Polish Union scholarship as well. Kyle is enrolled in Group 400 of Scranton along with his father, Kevin, sister Caitlyn and grandmother Helen M. Klem.
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Eva Grapsy was born Eva Yezfski on December 13, 1908 in Wilkes-Barre. She married Ray P. Grapsy in Holy Cross Church on August 21, 1932. She has two sons, Ray, Jr. of Pottsville and Ronald of Bloomsburg, PA. She also has seven grandchildren and twenty-one great grandchildren. Retired to Bradenton, FL in 1975, she remained active in her new community. Until recently she did volunteer work at Blae Memorial Hospital. She still plays Bridge weekly, bowls once a week and does her own gardening.
Group 275 Report
The Annual Children’s Christmas Party was held December 4th and proved to be a huge success. Over 50 children and their parents had an enjoyable afternoon with face painting, a clown, balloons and Santa there to pass out gifts as well as a lunch and cookies, compliments of the Polish Union Groups and Main Office.
Consider a gift of life insurance for your children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren or any member of your family.
Celebrating Birthdays in January are: Janet Abbott, Kyle Antene, Jan Dzialowy, Weronika Falborski, Carol Grochowski, Pearl Grochowski, Valeria Knapczyk, Helen Madaj, Genevieve Novak, Jean Olakowski, Paul Pencak, Audrey Padek, Elaine Strenski and Florence Wojtowich.
February Birthdays are observed by: Emily Wisinski who turns four on Feb. 2; Debra Barker, Rita Cybulski, Antoni Dzialowy, Mieczyslaw Klimek, Marja Krozel, Keith Michalec, Michael and Richard Pencak, Charity Piet, Joyce andJudith Regnier, James Waner and Kurt Wood.
The Annual Meeting and Luncheon for Group 275 will be held on Sunday, April 17 at 1 p.m., location to be announced. Reservations are required. Call Group Secretary Joan Wisinski at 708-361-4180 or 708-6936 if you plan on attending.
Do you have news of births, engagements, wedings, anniversaries, special events? Mail them to Joan Wisinski, 13210 South 85th Ave., Palos Park, IL 60464. Particles and photos are welcome.
Join us on our Russian River Cruise September 13-25 Call Joan Wisinski at 888-789-5182
Contribute to the Henry J. Dende Educational Fund!
The Officers and Board of Directors of Polish Union of U.S.A. established the Henry J. Dende Educational Fund. Proceeds of this fund are used for Scholarship Aid to students who are members of the fraternal.
We appeal to our members to contribute to the Educational Fund on a regular basis. We also suggest to our members (as is the trend today) to make the beneficiaries of their present Polish Union insurance certificate the “Polish Union Educational Fund.”
Recent Donor
Diana & Larry Lynott $100
in memory of Henry J. Dende, our Daddy, Grandpa and Great Grandpa
Send your donation to:
Polish Union of U.S.A. • Henry J. Dende Educational Fund
P.O. Box 660, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18703
First Vrabel Scholarship Awarded to Gabrielle Stine
The first Marion Orloski Vrabel Scholarship award was presented to Gabrielle Stine at the 26th Annual Debutante Ball. Gabrielle is the daughter of Robert and Cheryl Stine of Archbald. Gabrielle is a high honors student at Valley View High School. She participates in cross-country, track, and basketball. She received second place honors in the National French Forum at King’s College, is a member of the French Club, chorus, and was in the school play.She plans to study criminal investigation, criminal law, and/or acting. Gabrielle, along with the other participants, wrote an essay on the importance of higher education, her educational goals, and where she sees herself in the world ten years after graduation.
Marion Orloski Vrabel, an active member of the Polish Union of USA’s Zonta Club for 40 years, passed away in 2001. Her daughters, Elaine Larronde and Deborah Osborne created a scholarship fund in April, 2003. Their generous donation is to perpetuate the memory of their mother by providing scholarship aid to female members of the Polish Un;ion who become Debutante. Mrs. Vrabel was especially proud of her granddaughter, Tiffany Larronde, who was a Debutante in 1998. No sacrifice was too large or small for Mrs. Vrabel, a high school graduate, in encouraging her daughters and their friends to pursue their education beyond high school, which they accomplished. This scholarship which will be presented annually, was established to encourage those females participating in the Debutante Ball to further their education by attending a college, university or technical school. A minimum of $500 will be awarded each year to one young woman participating as a debutante that year.
Just as St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated with much merry-making by the Irish, although it falls during the season of Lent, so the people of Poland and Polish-Americans have chosen to commemorate St. Joseph’s Feast Day. Saturday, March 19th, in a similar fashion, various Pol-Am organizations and fraternals hold parties and get-togethers, and for this day, the strict Lenten regulations do not oblige.
To preserve this popular custom, the Activities Committee of Polish Union of U.S.A. is sponsoring a traditional St. Joseph’s Day Party, Saturday evening, March 19 at the After Five Supper Club, 280 Main St., Dickson City, PA.
Festivities begin at 5:00 p.m.and dinner served at 6:30 p.m.
Members, their families and friends are invited to attend—the young and golden agers will enjoy the affair. The color and decor of the evening will be red and white. It is recommended that ticket reservations be made by March 12th.
Tickets may be obtained by phoning the Polish Union Home Office at 823-1611, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
In the Scranton-Lackawanna County area phone: Terri Rumensky, 489-6877.
We Need Your Input: Should the Polish Union Begin a Credit Union?
Over the past several months, The Executive Committee of the Polish Union has been in the process of determining what additional services or benefits could be offered to the members of the Polish Union. Currently under consideration is for the Polish Union to open its own credit union or affiliate with an existing credit union.
If the Polish Union opens its own credit Union, it would be called “The Polish Union Credit Union”. But, there may be a considerable delay until a Polish Union Credit Union is set up. On the other hand, affiliating with an already existing credit union would allow for instant benefits for Polish Union members, but, of course, it would not carry the name of the Polish Union.
As part of this important consideration process, the Polish Union would appreciate your comments and opinions with regard to this topic. Please take a few moments to fill out the survey form below and return it to:
Polish Union of U.S.A.
P.O. Box 660
53-59 North Main St.
Wilkes-Barre, PA 18703